Epsilon Epsilon State of the Chapter 2011-2012
To Alumni and Friends of the Epsilon Epsilon chapter,
We are nearing the end of the spring 2012 semester after having another successful year at the Epsilon Epsilon Chapter. We are all very proud of our accomplishments, and we are also very thankful and blessed to have the support of great alumni. We would not be in our current position if it wasn’t for the outstanding support from our active alumni.
In the summer of 2011, we received the rank of “Excellence” in each of the three major categories and in each of the ten subcategories of Sigma Nu Nationals’ Pursuit of Excellence Program. “Excellence” is the highest level of recognition which is given to the chapter based on the categories of Values-Based Leadership, Personal Development and Membership Value, and Operational Excellence. To receive “Excellence” in each category is a great accomplishment, and we were the only chapter to do so, putting us on the right track to win our 7th Rock Chapter in the summer of 2012. The Rock Chapter Award is given every two years to the top 2% of Sigma Nu chapters nationally, and Epsilon Epsilon boasts the most nationally, with 6 Rock Chapters, the most recent one coming in 2010. We are very proud of this accomplishment, and it can be credited to the efforts of our active brothers and to the support from our advisory board. In addition to these accomplishments, four of our brothers, Blair Kirkpatrick, David McKellips, Mark McClure, and Ryan Ramseyer were awarded Alpha status. The Alpha Award recognizes the top ten graduating Sigma Nus from across the nation; needless to say, receiving four of the top ten graduating seniors is an incredible honor. Also, Ryan Ramseyer was named Sigma Nu Scholar of the Year nationally, another enormous honor. Overall, the summer of 2011 was one of incredible success that we hope to experience again this summer.
As we began the fall semester, the brotherhood was eager to continue to strive for excellence. In September, the chapter paired with the women of Kappa Kappa Gamma to compete in “America’s Greatest Homecoming Celebration.” Throughout the week we competed in different categories, from the Homecoming Sign to the Football Frenzies Flag Football tournament, culminating in the House Decoration walk-arounds. The Kappa-Sigma Nu team took first place in the Football Frenzies competition, and 2rd place overall in the Sweepstakes. We are very proud of the work put in by the brothers, led by chairs Sam Denyer, Chris Moore, and Dakoda Goins. In November, the new freshman class paired with the women of Kappa Delta to put on “Indiana Jones” in the annual Freshman Follies competition. The show placed 3rd, and we’re extremely proud of our freshmen.
During the candidate program, we make a very strong effort to put academics at the forefront of the priority list. After hours spent studying and focusing in the classroom, our hard work paid off as the fall 2011 pledge class won first place in grades overall!
Perhaps the most exciting event of the semester came when Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant came to play flag football with our intramural team. This event received exposure from press such as ESPN, The Jimmy Kimmel show, and was even on the front page of Yahoo.com.
Christmas Break brought our annual Ski Trip, in which the brotherhood and their dates took a much needed post-finals break in Breckenridge, Colorado, for four days of skiing, shopping, and relaxation.
After Christmas Break, the Epsilon Epsilon chapter was proud to initiate our freshmen brothers into the house. Led by model pledge Matthew Howard, these new brothers would go on to be incredibly valuable additions to the chapter, with several already being elected to leadership positions in the house.
As spring finally rolled around, and the weather warmed up, the brothers paired with the women of Chi Omega for Oklahoma State’s annual Varsity Revue competition. Although our show, “Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium” did not place, it was entertaining, and the hard work was evident. Completing the trio of Greek life shows, the Epsilon Epsilon chapter paired with the women of Pi Beta Phi for the Mom’s Day Spring Sing competition. With Sigma Nu “Talent of the Year” Award winner Christian Markes directing the show along with others, the show, “Jersey Shore” placed 2nd!
Throughout the year, the chapter had grown close to the Cowgirls basketball team through cookouts and coke dates, and in March for Greek Discovery Day, our annual Temple Classic Philanthropy Volleyball Tournament was dedicated to the memory of those who tragically died in the plane crash this past November. With great leadership from Chase Snodgrass, Shelby Lippert, John Dillingham, and recently named Out of House Brother of the Year Sean Murphy, the chapter raised over $20,000, a Temple Classic record. We presented the check to the basketball team at a banquet with the Sigma Nu High Council in attendance. Of all the accomplishments of Epsilon Epsilon, this one may well be the most meaningful to the Brotherhood.
In April, the Interfraternity Council at OSU put on their annual “Greek Week,” where Greek houses joined forces to raise money across campus for different philanthropies. With the women of Phi Mu, Gamma Phi Beta, and the men of Fiji and Kappa Alpha Psi, the brothers had a blast promoting the Greek community and building interfraternal relations. Greek Week concluded with the annual Greek Awards banquet, and brother Cameron Sikes won the Outstanding Junior of the Year award. Cameron had also won the Outstanding Sophomore award the previous year. Brother Corbin Mertz was a top three finalist for the Outstanding Sophomore award, and Brothers Matt Maguire and Thomas Briggs were top three finalists for the Outstanding Junior award—the third straight year for the 2009 Pledge Class to sweep the finalist spots.
We capped off the month with our yearly Alumni Golf tournament, which we put on to raise money for summer recruitment. This year we had a great number of alumni participate, including many recent alumni. This speaks volumes to the incredible alumni support that we have, which is the foundation of the chapter’s sustained success.
This upcoming summer, our rush chairmen Matt Morrow and Jake Schooley will lead the chapter in what we hope to be another successful recruitment process. Our success in rush year in and out could not be managed without the exceptional help we receive from the Epsilon Epsilon advisory board. Headed by chapter advisor Wes Holmes, the advisory board is composed of Brothers Stan Bugh, Steve Brown, Neil Gilpin, Mark Mitchell, Luke Martin, Dave Hubble, John Bartley, and Kurt Bollenbach. We as an executive team meet once a month with these men and discuss the daily activities of the chapter, as well as upcoming events and activities we take part in. They work hard to keep us in line, and we owe them a great deal for the effort and time they give us.
Nationally, the Epsilon Epsilon chapter is well represented amongst Sigma Nu chapters. Brother Joe Francis is currently serving as a vice-regent on the High Council, and brother Charlie Eitel serves as the regent elect. Brother Eitel will serve as the Regent of Sigma Nu in the upcoming year. Former Commander Mark McClure also served as one of four collegiate Grand Councilmen for the 2010-2011 school year. In all, three of the 11 members of the National High Council are brothers from the Epsilon Epsilon chapter—without a doubt, one of the most incredible testimonies to the strength of a chapter that this author could imagine.
Overall, the Epsilon Epsilon chapter is proud to be among the leading chapters of Sigma Nu, both on a national and local level. We are looking forward to an excellent year and hope that you as alumni and friends of the chapter will be involved with us as we continue to excel with honor.
JB Stuart EE2354
Eminent Commander
Kyle Sikes EE2358
Lieutenant Commander
